Wanting RZ2 info

[samw]

Everyone with an RZ2. I am starting my research on the RZ2. Anyone that owns one.....
1.What do you think?
2.What engine do you have? I have seen some withe 315 hp engine I have in my 21 V. Is that engine to small for the RZ? I think 340 hp is more standard?
3. Could someone tell what the boat length is with out the swim platform. I have 24-26 max feet to work with in my garage. I have to take it off on my 21 v to get in the garage. I also don't have the swing a way tongue.
4.Is it big enough? Storage, seating etc....
5.I guess anything else you have found out...likes, dislikes.

Thanks
Sam

[Matt Garcia]

1. Love it. 352 hours on my 2007 and not a single issue other than maintenance items.
2. I have the Marine Power 360 HT but I think the standard now is the PCM 343. IMO, that is enough power.
3. I believe the length without the platform is 21' 8".
4. Its got plenty of storage but the one thing I wish they changed was the rear storage lockers. About 1/4 of the rear is taken up with either the batteries (port side) or the ballast pumps (starboard side). I have stock ballast so not sure if that matters or not. Also I am not sure if they have changed this on the 09s.

A few things that I wish they improved on are:

1. Bigger ballast, at least 1500-2000 pounds stock.
2. Swim platform material is rough on the feet and the kids.

The biggest thing I like on my 2007 vs the 2009 models is the tower height and bimini coverage. I love that I can stand under my bimini (I am tall too) and not hit my head on anything (speakers, bimini, etc). In my opinion the Alpha Z is too low for me.

As you can see there isnt much that I dislike, some stuff I didn't like they have already fixed on the newer models like the lower dash and smaller swim platform that doesn't cut in to the wave.

[da.bell]

Definitely get the swing away tongue. With that in mind and the swim platform, you are talking about a 24.5 feet length on the boat.

I bought an RZ2 after a 24Ve and sold my 24Ve.. I think that explains how much the RZ2 is worth IMO

The 340 HP engine is great and you can alway re-prop it if you plan to add a significant amount of ballast to the boat. I don't see why anyone would need a bigger engine in the boat.

The RZ2 fits 15 whilte the 24Ve fit 16 people. Personally, I feel that the RZ2 has more open space than the 24Ve ever did.

What I do dislike about the boat is.... Nothing!!! Actually, the shock/springs that Tige uses are very strong. So strong that if the screws aren't tight, the door shifts slightly and doesn't close correctly. That would be my biggest pet pee on the RZ2 but still not enough for me to go out and get another boat.

Good luck and I am sure you have made the right decision on an RZ2. Now, which year do you want

[Timmy!]

I love my '07! I wanted an X-45 really, really bad and now that I have my RZ2, I like it so much better! The storage lockers on the boats without factory ballast don't have the issue that Matt describes. What would I change about my boat:
- the newer vinyl seems to be a TON better than mine, it's very soft and I feel like I'm always going to rip it.
- Would want factory ballast for sure.
- factory surfboard rack?

That's it! I've had 14 people on my boat a few times now and while it's tight, it's still pretty comfortable and the 340hp engine has plenty of power to move the boat with 14 and have a couple of ballast bags filled up for surfing. Also, make sure you get the Vision Air seat - it's the best boat seat in the industry IMO!

[samw]

Everyone with an RZ2. I am starting my research on the RZ2. Anyone that owns one.....
1.What do you think?
2.What engine do you have? I have seen some withe 315 hp engine I have in my 21 V. Is that engine to small for the RZ? I think 340 hp is more standard?
3. Could someone tell what the boat length is with out the swim platform. I have 24-26 max feet to work with in my garage. I have to take it off on my 21 v to get in the garage. I also don't have the swing a way tongue.
4.Is it big enough? Storage, seating etc....
5.I guess anything else you have found out...likes, dislikes.

Thanks
Sam

How is the surf wake on the RZ2. We do that about 80% of the time now. I think I would like it with out ballast and build one.
What are your guy's thoughts on that. Or would you get that factory and then add to it?
Thanks for all the input!!!!!

[da.bell]

The ballast is integrated under the floor. IMO, purchase the ballast tanks when you get it. You can always add more weight to it with sacks but I am not entirely sure you can add the under-floor ballast later.

[chpthril]

For 09, the PCM 343hp is the STD engine for the RZ2 and the 6.0 409hp is the upgrade, nothing smaller is available. For the 07's, i'm 99% sure the std engine was the 340 and the 315hp was NOT available in the RZ and it's last year was 07. For 08, Tige/MP had the 320hp, but I want to say that it was not available in the RZ, just the 340hp and up.

[dingleberry]

The ballast is integrated under the floor. IMO, purchase the ballast tanks when you get it. You can always add more weight to it with sacks but I am not entirely sure you can add the under-floor ballast later.

The '09 model year is under floor, and my understanding is that you cannot realistically add it under the floor later. If you would be picking up an '07 or '08, then I think doing your own complete system will give you as good or better results than factory.

[chpthril]

The '09 model year is under floor, and my understanding is that you cannot realistically add it later. If you would be picking up an '07 or '08, then I think doing your own complete system will give you as good or better results than factory.

Easy, toss the sacs in the storage floor just like a boat without ballast. As far as plumbing goes, it would probably be easier and better to add in additional pumps for the new sacs, rather then T'ing into the factory setup. Cant say for sure till we get some pics of the system!

[da.bell]

The '09 model year is under floor, and my understanding is that you cannot realistically add it later. If you would be picking up an '07 or '08, then I think doing your own complete system will give you as good or better results than factory.

I totally agree Dingle!!!!

[Carter13]

You guys forgot to mention that the pre 09 platforms cut into the surf wake.

[rushin]

Yep, buy one.

We have the '07 and love it with the 340 hp.

One thing I did not like about it is the seat hight, I just fixed that by replacing the stock 9" pedestal with a 12".

Storage is great even with the stock ballast. I did have to rebuild the ballast manifold for it to work better though.

We have the Z tower with the extended bimini, the bimini is a little challanging to put up but worth it.

oh yeah, buy one

[Booms]

Everyone with an RZ2. I am starting my research on the RZ2. Anyone that owns one.....
1.What do you think?
2.What engine do you have? I have seen some withe 315 hp engine I have in my 21 V. Is that engine to small for the RZ? I think 340 hp is more standard?
3. Could someone tell what the boat length is with out the swim platform. I have 24-26 max feet to work with in my garage. I have to take it off on my 21 v to get in the garage. I also don't have the swing a way tongue.
4.Is it big enough? Storage, seating etc....
5.I guess anything else you have found out...likes, dislikes.

Thanks
Sam

1. The RZ2 is a great boat! I was in the market for 4 years and this is the boat I decided to buy. The factory tour is what put me over the top.
2. I have the 340HP motor. It works great with over 1,500# when Surfing.
3. Our Garage is about 27 feet deep. With out the platform and the trailer tongue swong over I have 2-3 feet of space.
4. There is plenty of storage. I put in a auto ballast system and still have more than enough space after the install. (I have 15 life jackets under the dash with space under the front seats and the space under the glove box)
5. I have used this boat 98% for surfing (2% kids tubing). I have two 1,000# custom sacs from Chpthrl and could use a little more weight, I think. The best surf wake I had was with 6 adults and the goofy side (starboard) sac full. I am in the process of investigating the aluminum swim platform that Ragboy did. I think that will fix the secondary lip I am getting from the stock aircraft carrier deck of a swim platform I have now. Other than that I love the look, versitility and the high/deep gunwales.

Hope this helps!

[Kito]

Everyone with an RZ2. I am starting my research on the RZ2. Anyone that owns one.....
1.What do you think?
2.What engine do you have? I have seen some withe 315 hp engine I have in my 21 V. Is that engine to small for the RZ? I think 340 hp is more standard?
3. Could someone tell what the boat length is with out the swim platform. I have 24-26 max feet to work with in my garage. I have to take it off on my 21 v to get in the garage. I also don't have the swing a way tongue.
4.Is it big enough? Storage, seating etc....
5.I guess anything else you have found out...likes, dislikes.

Thanks
Sam

1. I love my RZ2, I know that I made the right choice. I wasn't sure until I was on the water with it because I used to have a DD and I was a little worried about swithching to a v-drive, I gave up the super small wake and gained everything else,(room, storage, ride, safety,comfort.) Even though the wake is a little bit bigger to ski on, it's smooth and soft so its doable for skiing.
2. I have the 400hp. It has crazy power. Ive never been in a RZ2 with a 340hp but Im sure its fine.
3. It sounds like you got this info already so Im not going to measure mine.
4.Plenty big, never had a problem with finding a place to put things, most of the time it takes forever opening up all the storeage ares triing to figure out where my kids put something.
5. My platform does alter the surf wake a little but not a big deal to me. Im haveing a tough time getting a big smooth wake to surf on but I think its more in my setup then the boat. If you buy one you will love it.